In re the Arbitration between Sociedad Maritima San Nicolas, S. A. & Pangalante Compania Naviera, S. A.

The question is whether a shipowner and a time charterer may empower a partner of a law firm then known to represent the shipowner to act as sole arbitrator of disputes between them. Special Term denied the motion of petitioner-appellant time charterer to vacate the arbitrator’s award, and entered judgment for respondents.

Since the time charterer knew of the conflict of interest when it participated in designating the arbitrator, the judgment appealed from should be affirmed.

A charter party between petitioner-appellant time charterer and respondent shipowner terminated in May, 1962. Disputes…